Stay Open Minded to Better the Blogosphere…and yourself

Republican or Democrat, Right or Left, One God or Many, Black or White? These are all binaries and to which many of us identify with. Societally, lines have been drawn and sometimes we are forced to pick and choose where we fit in.

Newspapers are Turning Into Movies!

In this day an age it’s not surprising that people are catching on to the stickiness factor of online video marketing. Traditional newspapers and news websites are turning to YouTube to market their stories, so viewers will be more prompted to visit their website.  Not only are journalists filming videos of investigative stories, which is not a new concept, some are filming trailers for their stories as thrilling visualeye candy provking emotional response by viewers. Even more creative was the St. Petersburg Times, who made a music video with staffers portrayed as musicians! At first thought, this innovation seems to discredit the profesionalism of journalists, but at the same time – people do like to be entertained… So I credit The Dallas Morning News and the St. Petersburg Times as marketing geniuses. 

And the best President will be?….!!!

Like many other college students, I caucused this year. In fact, I was elected a delegate. This 2008 election is like no other with its high density of young adult participation. As a grassroots activist, this is so exciting! Upon completing the readings for the day I had to ask myself something… Was choosing my favored candidate a result of groupthink? Let’s just say I hate conflict and often just go with the flow to avoid the unnecessary drama. TRUST ME, at this caucus drama was to be had – I’ve never seen so many passionate people shoving their opinions on me! Since I went in “undecided” – oh those people were on me like white on rice…

I-Phone Prices Cut!

Remember when the I-Phone first came out, June 27th, 2007? They were the hottest item on the market! People waited around the block to get them, for a full $499. This June 27, 2008 Apple is releasing a new and improved 8G I-Phone with GPS navigation and faster internet connection. While this new I-Phone is being released, Apple is trying to get the “outdated” one’s off the market by reducing them to $200!

Thanks Technorati!

You Too Can be a Journalist, Just Buy a Computer

What makes a blog by a citizen journalist catch the public eye? Upon reading Chapter 7 in Oreilly’s “We the Media,” I took notice when describing how Rex Hammock blogged about his meeting with George W. Bush. This was closed for the press, but Hammock took it upon himself to describe his impression of the President on his blog. Now this is what I call news coverage! It’s deep inside of us, this burning desire to uncover the truth. Not everyone has the opportunity to meet the President long enough to form an accurate depiction of his persona, which makes this story quite intriguing.

Drop Out of the Journalism Program, Already!

If when something becomes rare, it becomes precious – then why is the newspaper industry dying out to it’s online form on the internet? Online journalists, websites, blogs and even online newspapers are flooding the internet. Keep in mind online newspapers don’t make mone from you the reader, unless you subscribe. Maybe we will eventually get over the excitement of blogging and be dying to return to print media just because it’s more obsolete. Chances are, by the time we are bored with blogging there will be yet a new medium to gravitate towards, making print media even more sought after.

The Transformation of Diaries

The general trend I noticed from reading Dispatches from Blogistan’s, “A Brief History of Open Discourse,” was that whenever there was an advance in technology, there was a drastic transformation in the way people think and behave. I was thinking about how obvious, yet subtle this phenomenon is and came to the conclusion that technological advances determine how society functions. We surround our lives around the latest technologies and use them in ways their creators probably never imagined. 

The Future of Journalism

I find it very compelling in the recent shift of the medium of journalism. It is a wonder how online journalism will alter the course of the future. I’ve taken another look at how we get our news and what it means for the future of the newspaper industry. What happens when newspapers go out of business because we’ve all turned to blogs and news websites? What does this mean for those who work in the newspaper or journalism industry? Eventually, everyone will be expected to own a computer and rely on it alone for the news.